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First published 2000 (DOST Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Setting, vbl. n. Also: -inge, -in, -yn(g, settein(g, seting(e, sething, saitting, sitting. [ME and e.m.E. settynge (Trevisa), setting (15th c.); Set v.] The action of Set v.; an instance of this.

I. In the senses of I - X.

1. a. Causing a judicial body to sit (Set v. 2). b. Arranging a meeting (Set v. 3). c. Appointing (something to be done) (Set v. 4 f). d. Leasing (property, etc.) (Set v. 7). e. Something that suits, is suitable, or is well-fitting (Set v. ? 8 b or c).a. 1526 Liber Aberbr. II 460.
Befoyr the settyng and haldyng of owr iustice ayr forsadb. 1477 Edinb. Chart. 141.
The quhilk statutis and ordinance and setting of merkettis … we ratify 1477 Edinb. Chart. 141.
The setting and halding of the saide merkettis and keping of thame in the plaicis before writin 1635 Hawick Arch. Soc. (1921) 27.
All old deacones and quarter maisters of every craft shall convein in the high churh ȝaird … vpon our fair dayes … for setting of the fair and for convoying of the proveist and baillies throw the town 1640 Hawick Arch. Soc. (1945) 31.
Whatsomever person that beis not present yeirlie at the Common ryding and setting the faires sall pay forty shillings toties quoties and wardit without license or ane lawful excusec. 1576 Orkney Oppress. 40.
And ȝet the scayth is not sa grit of the cowp setteing to the commownis as is the hurt that thai have of the exorbitant gilding of the wairis 1576 Orkney Oppress. 64 (see Cowp n.²).
Setteind. 1392 Lennox Mun. 49.
The settyng of al our landes … and the appertenance, for sex marcis of male … be ȝer 1397 Antiq. Aberd. & B. IV 166.
Ovr lord the kyng sall … ratify under his greit seyll all giftys taliees settyngys and condysyounys mad … be Dame Isabell … to … hir brother 1405 Maxwell Mem. I 146 (see Maling vbl. n. 1 (2)). 1429 Durh. Archives Misc. Chart. 796.
We … gravntis that fra the settyng mad to Thomas Atkynson be worn out we sal nocht mak … request eftyr that to na priour of Coldyngham to set the said landes 1441 Aberd. B. Rec. I 7.
To keip … at all his gudely powar the settyng of the watteres c1442 Letter of Sir David Home in Coldingham Priory 141.
Quharfor I requer yhour lordschipp that yhe wald … wryt to the Priour of Coldyngham that he mad na settyng [pr. sectyng] of the said Aldcambos, qwill he and I comperit before yhou in propir personis; soe and he mak only setting of the place I sal somonde hym befor the kyng 1446 Reg. Episc. Brechin. I 109.
Before ony settyn or to mail lattyn of the said tak 1465–6 Charter (Reg. H.) No. 391.
We the forsaid … approvis ratifiis and fully confermys the tak ande settyn and writtin that oure predecessore seit to oure man Thome 1467 Acta Aud. 7/2.
That Tormond Johnsone tuk the office of him & was in it of his setting 1480 Orkney & Shetl. Rec. I 53.
Landis … browkyt … throw tytill of setting 1534 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 146.
Scho sal haif … the lytill hous inhabeit be Coultart the vyf at the said Jhone setting 1537 Glasgow Prot. IV 111.
Settin c1549 Reg. Episc. Aberd. II 309.
That the setting of the said fewis … sall nocht preiuge nor hurt the said erl 1566 Reg. Privy C. I 489.
Nochtwithstanding ony setting, promeis, taking, pactioun, or conditioun quhatsumevir maid 1576 Bk. Univ. Kirk I 350. 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. ii 86.
Location (setting for hyre and profite) 1662 Peebles B. Rec. II 52.
John Greive … for setting ane kowes sowme tuyce over, [fined 40 s.] 1670 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. MS 6 July.
For allegit Thomas setting of ane buith to him(b) 1657 Misc. Hist. Soc. VII 16.
To end the setinge of my coll by subscriuinge the takes(c) 1678 Rec. Old Aberd. I 132.
Some mack a lyveliehoode … by sething and ferming pairtes of the said mos as if the samen were ther oune propertiefig. a1658 Durham Clavis Cantici 465.
His setting of this vineyard, or church to the keepers, is borrowed from a proprieter, … As Christ is the proprieter [etc.]e. 1619 Fam. Innes 210.
I must have ane suitt of alls honest apperell that day … so I look that ye vill helpe me to them, for my father is villing to giff me ane stand of setting

2. a. Founding or erecting (a construction, etc.) (Set v. 10). b. Planting (trees, etc.) (Set v. 11). c. Putting (something) in a position (Set v. 12). d. Putting (something) in a position of attachment, etc. (Set v. 14). e. Putting (a person) in a place (Set v. 18).a. 1506 Treas. Acc. III 208.
Payit … at the setting of the keill of the schip 1524 Hist. Pluscardyn 238.
Setting off certane methis and marchis betuix the landis 1535–6 M. Works Acc. (ed.) I 192.
For wyning breking and setting of lyme stanis for ane kill setting in Salusbery 1535–6 M. Works Acc. (ed.) I 184.
Tymmer for bosing of the gret galre setting of burdis and to the keiching ruiffis 1536–7 Ayr B. Acc. 19.
For setting of twa pernellis and wyndling of the rys to the bulwark … Item … for setting of stakis and rys 1553–4 Edinb. Old Acc. I 112.
For … setting of the greit stane yet at the Abbay 1558–9 Edinb. Old Acc. I 288.
To the myllars for setting of the stule and laying of the greit flag over the leid 1563–4 Edinb. Old Acc. II 190.
For small candill to the setting of the barres 1563–4 Edinb. Old Acc. II 191.
Item, the wrychtis for setting of the barres and taiblis a1586 Lindsay MS 83b.
In making of fosses & setting of pauillionis 1596–7 Misc. Spald. C. V 65.
For careing of the gallowis to the blokhous … and setting of it 1597 Edinb. B. Rec. V 360.
For seting of the punchoun to keep the watter in 1647 Cramond Ch. Urquhart 21.
Jhone Wilson … acknowledged his fault in setting peits on the Lord's day 1683 Fawside Coal Compt 103.
Item to the coallheweris for setting tree stoops £2 8 s.b. 1531–2 M. Works Acc. (ed.) I 109.
To tua gardnaris … for … setting and sawin of flouris 1619 Thanes of Cawdor 251.
Now is the tyme of lykorous seting 1649 Elgin Rec. II 267.
David Brodie being cited … confessed his falt in setting of kaill one the Lords day 1671 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. MS 15 March.
Setting of trees about the kirkyeard(b) 1582 Edinb. D. Guild Acc. 148.
For ane thorne with xxxiij ȝoung treis to the buriall ȝaird & saitting of the samync. 1537 Reg. Episc. Aberd. I 414.
Tway schillingis to the sacristene for the settyng of the stwyll at his graif 1613 Misc. Spald. C. V 89.
Jhone Allan, … convict for setting ane goiff ball in the kirk yeard, and striking the same against the kirk 1685 Soc. Ant. LVIII 363.
2 peuther gairdners for setting plaits on(b) 1556–7 Dundee B. Ct. III fol. 99 (27 Jan.).
For the sitting of ane stane saitt at his buith dured. 1505 Treas. Acc. III 40.
For … setting of ane new edge of blak wellus on it 1507 Treas. Acc. III 271.
For setting [pr. secting] of ane bordour and lynyng of ane goun of blak welluse. 1560 Edinb. B. Rec. III 86.
That na maner persoun … sweir … vnder the pane of setting of thame in the irne brankis

3. a. Placing or putting (a person, etc.) in a situation, etc. (Set v. 19 a). b. Setting apart, separating, distinguishing a person (from others) to a calling (Set v. 22 c). c. Setting ingill, lighting (a fire) for (to) some purpose (Set v. 23).a. 1554 Acts II 601/1.
For setting of oure said realme in tranquillitie rest vnitie concord and justiceb. 1654 Laing MSS 293.
Their ordinance about trying of ministers expresly declares their … approbation to be no sacred or solemne setting a man apart to the ministrye bot [etc.]c. 1607 Dundonald Par. Rec. 126.
Accuisit of Sonday wark by setting ingill to his malt in Hilhous kill 1607 Dundonald Par. Rec. 153.
By seting ingill to the kill

4. a. Putting in place (fishing nets) (Set v. 29). b. Setting words to music (Set v. 36). c. Arranging a matter (Set v. 37).a. 1495 Paisley B. Rec. 51.
The wrangwis fischeing and settyng of nettis in thar wattyr and landis of the Bernis 1516 Wigtown B. Ct. 60b. 1642 Fife Synod 132.
Concerning boattis going for the setting of nettis in the tyme of the hearing drove 1657 Cramond Kirk S. I 16 June.
Dilated … for setting a net wpon the Sabbath dayb. c1550-c1580 Art of Music 68.
Studentis desyrand to haw practik of setting of sangisc. 1630 Aberd. Council Lett. I 312.
To informe … your ladyship of our advyse tuicheing the setting of the busienes

5. a. Laying down (a rate of taxation, etc.) (Set v. 40). b. Putting a value on (a ship's cargo) (Set v. 41 b). c. Estimating (a quantity of goods) (Set v. 42).a. 1575 Conv. Burghs I 45.
Personis nominat … for setting and extenting of the haill burrowis 1576–7 Edinb. B. Rec. IV 56.
Thair consent to be had in setting [pr. insetting] of ane new extent for payment of the ministeris stipend 1589 Burntisland B. Ct. 5 April.
[Two] merchandis was appoinctit … for … collectinge … the taxatioun … ilkane off thame deponit thair aithis for laufull and equall settinge thairoff 1590 Welwod 73.
In contributioun and setting of skatts things man be esteimat sa vz. the guds cassin acording to the pryce they cost [etc.] 1645 Aberd. B. Rec. IV 49.
To grant to the said taxation, and chuise stentars for seting of the samenb. 1602 Conv. Burghs II 144 (see Set v. 41 b).c. 1498 Reg. Privy S. I 28/1.
With a discharge to all uther custumaris and officiaris of thair officis of setting of the said skinnys and custumary of Inglis gudis within the said bondis and of the ressaving of ony feis or dewiteiz pertenying thairto 1545 Aberd. B. Rec. I 222.
Ane attentik tykat of the setting of the said gudis of the said haill schip and how many sekis the same extendis in the haill furthwart 1579 Conv. Burghs I 81.
That … thair be elected and chosin certan jedge maisteris at every sea poirt … for setting of all gudes nocht of tun mesour … And the jedge maister to have for jedging and setting of euery tun jedgit and mett be him tuelf penneis 1622-6 Bisset II 206/25.
Anent Scottis merchandis, saillaris and skipperis furaris and transporteris of merchand wairis alsueill afeild as hamewarde be use and setting nocht onlie of Scottis merchandis and skipparis, bot [etc.]

6. Bringing to a settled state, bringing to a stop (Set v. 48). Also fig. 1504 (c1580) Edinb. B. Rec. I 100.
To pay to … the fermoraris of the mylnis … in recompans for the setting of the bak watter and skayth sustenitfig. 1525 St. P. Henry VIII IV 344.
[We] being in this towne of Edinburgh for ordouring of the Bordouris, stanching and setting of innormiteis

7. Putting (persons) ashore. (Set v. 49). 1610 Crim. Trials III 103.
Be setting of vthers vpoune schoir in barberous … pairtes

8. Putting a person to work of some sort (Set v. 53). 1665 Rothesay B. Rec. 100.
Concerning the setting of Robert M^cConachie … to be prenteis to the said Allexander in his trade and calling of ane carpendar

9. a. Decorating, ornamenting (something) (Set v. 55). b. Placing (windows) in a building (Set v. 56). c. Setting the gait, besetting the way with armed men, putting an ambush in place (Set v. 58).a. 1538 Treas. Acc. VI 408.
For … the setting of the bonet in perle and dyamontisb. 1529–30 M. Works Acc. (ed.) I 26.
For … leid … to the setting of the gret windoisc. 1525 Acts II 298/1.
Geif ony persouns beis ourtane be ane assise of setting the gait laying wachis for men to do thaim scaith [etc.]

10. Attacking (a person) (Set v. 66). 1524 Carnwath Baron Ct. (SHS) 27.
For vrangus setin on Jhon … onder the clud of the nycht 1590 Digest Justiciary Proc. M 9.
Thair setting wpone him and crewellie invaiding him with ane pistolett

II. In the senses of XI.

11. Setting down, a. Putting in place (Set v. 68 d). b. Sinking (a coalmine) (Set v. 68 f). c. Putting down in writing (Set v. 68 g). d. Laying down (a rule) (Set v. 68 i).a. 1660 Glasgow B. Rec. II 437.
Jonet Younger craveand libertie for setting downe tries at her dwelling hous … for drying of her litted clothe 1695 Lanark B. Rec. 252.
The most convenient place for setting doun the said bridge is at the foot of that insh of Clydsholmeb. 1671-4 Dunferm. Coal Acc. 12b.
To Ja: Dauidson … for setting doun tuo roumesc. 1585 Edinb. B. Rec. IV 425.
To mak the said agrement … to the setting doun of the sam in writt 1587 Conv. Burghs I 248.
Befoir the setting doun of the said roll 1607 Glasgow Burgesses 35.
[Quintine Rankin made burgess] … because his father was ane burges … and deceist befoir the setting doun of the gildrie, and that he was young, and was omitit … to be buikitd. 1616 Conv. Burghs III 32.
That ilk burgh send thair commissioners sufficientlie instructed to the nixt generall conventione for setting doun of ane ordor anent the said mater

12. Setting fordward, promoting (something), causing (something) to advance (Set v. 69). See also Fordwart adv. 2 b for further examples. 1552 Reg. Privy C. I 135.
Thai … ar to pas to … France … and that for setting fordwart of the honesteis and honour of this realme, mon charge sindry of thair freyndis to pas in cumpany with thame 1570 Peebles B. Rec. I 319 (see Fordward adv. (2)). 1573 Montgomery Mem. 212.
Slaw … in … the settinforthvard of the weill … of the hous of Eglintoun

13. Setting furth, a. Putting (something) in a position (Set v. 70 a). b. Leasing (a property) (Set v. 70 d). c. Publishing (a book) (Set v. 70 f).a. 1520 (c1580) Edinb. B. Rec. I 198.
To … pay … v li. for the selling of his wyne opinlie in the taveroun in Leith the setting furth of the singisb. 1675 Conv. Burghs III 653.
[Licence to Perth] for setting furth of thair comon milnes, fishings, and inches, for the space of nyne yearsc. 1643 Aberd. B. Rec. IV 9.
The paines takin be Mr. John Row … for setting furth ane Hebrew dictionar

14. Setting in, putting (something) in place (Set v. 71 a). 1488 Lanark B. Rec. 2.
For … settyn in of the bar and nailis 1674 Sheriffhall Coal Accompt 4 April.
Carrying them to the hol … & setting in stools

15. Setting (water) off, draining (water) from land (unrecorded as verb, cf. Set v. 72); setting … af (the water), closing off (the water supply) (see 16 b below). Cf. also 6 above. 1681 Sheriffhall Coal Accompt 11 June.
For casting a ditch at Major Biggars march for setting the water off

16. Setting on, a. Putting, fixing (something) in position (Set v. 73 a). b. Causing (something) to commence (Set v. 73 b). c. Causing (a tax) to be instituted (not recorded in verb).a. 1590 Thanes of Cawdor 197.
For the making of the bodyis and setting on the sleiffis 1683 Sheriffhall Coal Accompt 20 Oct.
For setting one the windises one the wester holl 1696–1700 Wauchopes 36.
For marking on of the stair sink … For setting on the stoolls theronb. 1619 Perth Kirk S. 19 Jan.
Accuseit for setting on his myln and grinding on Sonday 1658 Cramond Ch. Grange 25. 1676 Edinb. B. Rec. X 271.
His dilligence … in setting on and af the water(b) 1610 Reg. Privy C. IX 51.
[Their] casting doun of a prettie piller of stone werk [which had been erected … ] for seting thairon of his banefyre … [in token of] his exceiding joy for his majesteis preservationisc. 1685 Skene Mem. Burghs 228.
If it be a busines of setting on of a tax, or levying of money … the consent of the whole city is called for

17. Setting out, a. Placing (something) in a position, building bonfires, also specif. planting trees (Set v. 75 a). b. Leasing (land) (Set v. 75 g).a. 1602 Bk. Univ. Kirk III 993.
Superstitious dayes keipit, be setting out of banefires 1702 Foulis Acc. Bk. 300.
For setting out trees in the intack … at Rae^tb. 1681 Stair Inst. i xvi § 4 (1981) 255.
Letting out of lands, or setting out of houses

18. Setting to, putting in a position (Set v. 76 a). Also fig. 1509 Edinb. Hammermen 67.
Item for the mending of thaim & settin to of the canwes vj d. 1573 Reg. Privy C. II 210.
For making of gabionis … to the placeing and setting to of the ordinancefig. a1400 Leg. S. Prol. 6.
Quha-sa wil be vertuise suld Idilnes fle, as sais ‘the romance of the rose’, but settyng to of ony glose

19. Setting up, a. Putting (something) in a (pre-eminent or erect) position, fixing in position, building (a structure); also, of a person's nose, ? elevating the nose in a gesture of contempt (Set v. 77 a-c). b. Putting (an enterprise) into operation (Set v. 77 j). c. Restoration of a loss (Set v. 77 o).a. 1575–6 Ayr Common Good Acc.
Item for setting vp of twa treis on the schoir to fessin boittis at ij s. 1608–9 Misc. Spald. C. V 84.
For setting up the uther jebett at the meill marcatt 1619 Conv. Burghs III 86.
For setting vp of lichts vpone the Fairnie yland 1626 M. Works Acc. (ed.) II 204.
Carying thame [sc. slates] in from the horse to the great caitchepule … and for setting thame up in ordour thair 1637 Reg. Privy C. 2 Ser. VI 392.
Becaus the said Allexander Fraser declared … that the setting up of his saids armes wes done be him … for honor of his father's funeralls … the saids Lords will forbeare all farder censureing of Allexander Fraser … for putting up his armes and covering the said Lord Fraser his armes; and decerns … the said Laird of Phillorth … to caus take doune his armes and brods 1674 Glasgow B. Rec. III 180.
For setting wp of thrie pearches wpon the thrie lawes betwixt Newport and Greinock 1705 Foulis Acc. Bk. 371.
To the wrights … for … seting up a caise to the knock in the stair — 1605 Dundee Chart. 171.
The said Johne … abused & vilipendit the said George Ramesay, bailie, … be setting up his nose & thrawing his faice at the said Georgeb. 1668 Conv. Burghs III 603.
Persons entering the toune and setting wp chops 1678 Glasgow B. Rec. III 253.
For setting wp and keeping the stadge coatch betwixt this and Edinburgh 1682 Sheriffhall Coal Accompt 4 Feb.
For setting up to the new border 1682 Sheriffhall Coal Accompt 4 March.
For setting up ane new border 1690 Auldhamstocks Sermon 7.
Setting up doth plainly imply, a falling closs to work, every man doing somethingc. 1644–5 Misc. Spald. C. V 163.
To Thomas Dauidsone … for setting wp his loiss he susteines … 53 lib. 6 s. 8 d.

20. a. ? = 15 above. b. ?a. 1684 Fawside Coal Compt 127.
For setting lay water 8 s.b. 1680 Torry Coal & Salt Wks. 81a.
Ja: Nicoll 3 load of bleas and 4 load of settings